The Rev. Samuel S. Hayward, 68, of Richard Allen AME Church, St. George's, officially retired as pastor two weeks ago.

And his parting advice to his congregation was to remain faithful to God.

"My word of encouragement to the congregation is that they do not lose the hope in them and that they remain faithful onto God who has blessed them because the Bible says `the race not to the swift nor to the strong but he that endureth until the end'.'' Mr. Hayward told The Royal Gazette that he began ministering some 47-years ago at Vernon Temple in Southampton after being inspired to become a man of the cloth by his minister.

"Rev. Thomas Wendal Foster was my minister and he said to me one day `you have a gift, give it to God','' he recalled. "And it has been everything I thought it would be.'' Even today, his first sermon at Vernon Temple remains special to him, he said.

"That first sermon I preached was memorable for me,'' he explained. "I told a friend that I would be preaching there and he came to hear me. He got converted that night and joined the church.'' During his years in the pulpit, Mr. Hayward also served the congregation of Mt. Zion in Southampton and hosted a morning devotional radio programme for ten years called Moments of Devotions.

And he guided and in several cases converted a number of present-day ministers including the Rev. Diane Tacklyn, the Rev. Henry Armstrong and the Rev. Gail Dill.

Although Mr. Hayward retired for health reasons, he said he still planned to preach.

"I'm doing a wedding this weekend and I have a wedding in May,'' he revealed.

Mr. Hayward said he will most miss ministering to the senior citizens at Richard Allen.

"I will miss the seniors, I saw them every week,'' he said. "I served them communion in their homes.'' But he said he was glad that he will no longer have to attend official board meetings and church conferences.

"I'm looking forward to spending more time on the water and fishing,'' he added. "That will be my hobby.'' Mr. Hayward will be honoured next weekend during a "Night of Elegance'' at the Sonesta Beach Hotel.

Guest speaker for the formal event will be Rev. Hayward's son -- one of his six children -- the Rev. Samuel E. Hayward III from Hampton, Virginia. "I expect I will get misty-eyed at the banquet,'' he admitted. "It will be one of the greatest and most exciting experiences of my life.'' The $60 tickets for the April 19 are available from the Christian Bookstore and Richard Allen AME Church. For more information call 297-2911.

`I told a friend that I would be preaching there and he came to hear me. He got converted that night and joined the church.' -- The Rev. Samuel Hayward on his memorable first sermon